Zumba

Boy, the instructor of a Zumba course can really make or break the workout.  I tried it for the 1st time two weeks ago & I felt like I was in a professional dance class with awesome music, including the traditional salsa songs, the Twist, and even some old Puff Daddy.  I loved it!  Come to find out, the instructor is a professional dancer and has even been trained by MJ's choreographer's for 'Thriller' & 'Beat It' video!!  I love how the instructors don't talk in the head-sets; they just demonstrate & you try to follow along.

But then I went this last week, had a different instructor, & thought the music & choreography were boring.  The lady seemed like a good dancer at times, but then other times it seemed like she was off beat, or at least herky-jerky.  Now I'm no dancer; in fact, I would probably be the first to be voted off Dancing With the Normal People.  But as an ex-marching band member, I can march to the beat!  Well, I guess I can march to a steady beat anyway.

Today, I attended a very large Zumba class (with the awesome professional dancer leader & her side-kick who was just as good or better than she was), with proceeds going toward The Lung Association.  It was so fun to see an entire gym full of women (and one man), dancing & moving.  I Zumba (ed) for my grandma and all of my past patients who had asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung conditions.

Two Bits

I went to a garage sale the other day and found a small green planter on the "make an offer" table.  I hate making offers and negotiating, but I thought $1 (here called a looney) would do.  As I was walking up to the guy, he said "ah, 2 bits will be fine."  At first I thought he meant 50 cents, then I thought maybe 2 dollars, but I wasn't quite sure.  He must have noticed a slight confusion on my face & noticed I must not be from around here.  

Turns out that 2 bits means 25 cents.  I ended up with a pretty good deal & learned a new term. 

Meewasin Trail

We had an awesome bike ride on the trails along the river this past weekend, & it was gorgeous weather!  When we would travel to Chicago, I loved the lake trails & thought I would be in great shape if I lived there!  Well, the trails along the river here really remind me of the lake trails there, so I'm very excited. 

Earlier this summer, we picked up some cheap tennis rackets & took advantage of the new, really nice courts about 300 meters  from our house.  I had to take a time-out about 3 hits in after I hit myself in the back of the head with my racket!  No joke.  How pathetic.  It was even a bit tender for days after that.  I also must have been way over-swinging (much like I used to in golf [right, Chuck?!] and occasionally still do), as I was a little sore the next day.  My sister showed me a few tennis swings back in high school when she played in the summer tennis club, but other than that, I've never played.  Eric has played racquet ball some, so he might have been a little better skilled than I was.  It was fun, none the less, & good exercise.

It's going to creep up to the 90s this weekend!  I'm hoping we brought the warmer temps. with us & it means it will be a calmer winter.  We saw another jackrabbit on the golf course this weekend & it was brown, not white, which I've heard means that winter is further away!  Speaking of the jackrabbit---they are the weirdest animals.   It's about about size of a small dog, but doesn't hop like a rabbit.  Rather it takes off walking like a small deer!!  It looks likes it's legs are fake.  I hope to get a picture of one some day soon.

Comic about moving to Canada

One of the comics that Eric reads off and on is Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley.  It tells the story of a guy and his dog and cat.  The cat "Bucky" is kind of a boss and the dog "Satchel" is a bit naive.  Bucky is also a touch on the politically incorrect side, which makes him quite enjoyable.  Each week is a series on some issue.  The current offering seemed to scream 'Eric and Heather move to Canada.' 

(These may show up small on your screen.  If so hit CTRL+ to magnify.  Pressing CTRL and - will make the text smaller.